Chapter 75: The Marines Attack

Bege hung up the Den Den Mushi, a faint, satisfied smile playing on his lips.

The Shipping King Umit was indeed an old fox; he knew exactly when to cut his losses and when to double down on a better investment. Bege eliminating the Hoki alliance had certainly angered him, costing him significant profit, but it had also served as an undeniable demonstration of Bege's own crew's overwhelming strength and future potential. Umit understood that severing ties with Bege now, especially after he had proven his capability, would be foolish. Instead, deepening their cooperation was the most pragmatic path forward.

"His Majesty also mentioned that you should keep this Den Den Mushi," Wright relayed before preparing to depart. "He said you may use it to contact him directly regarding important matters in the future."

Bege nodded, accepting the unique snail. "Excellent. The Shipping King agreed Hoki's former shares in the West Blue operations are now mine. Wright, I expect you to arrange the transfer of the associated resources promptly. The payment is ready on my end."

"Rest assured, Bege-sama. I will dispatch the initial goods immediately upon my return," Wright confirmed with a respectful bow. He didn't linger; after concluding the brief meeting, he was ferried back to shore.

The Sky God weighed anchor once more, turning its prow away from the West Blue and back towards the Grand Line, preparing for the eventual return journey to Skypiea. The colossal ship sailed brazenly across the sea. With no immediate threats apparent, the crew relaxed on deck, some training idly to pass the time, others reverting to drinking, gambling, and roughhousing.

It was during this relatively peaceful interlude that Bege received an urgent message via Den Den Mushi from his father, Rod.

"Seven Marine warships, each configured for Vice Admiral operations, have entered the West Blue," Bege announced to his core crew, his eyebrow raised slightly as he relayed the intel. "The fleet commander... is Vice Admiral 'Mad Tiger' Simon."

He scanned the horizon thoughtfully. Besides his own formidable crew, Bege couldn't think of any other active force currently in the West Blue that would warrant such a massive, high-level response from Marine Headquarters.

"A deployment on the scale of a Buster Call, huh," Bege chuckled darkly. "The Marines certainly hold us in high regard."

"That bastard Simon again?!" Moria roared, his usual eerie composure cracking with sudden fury. The humiliating memory of their near-fatal encounter with the Vice Admiral two years prior was still vivid. "Two years ago, he nearly killed us! We must get revenge this time! Bege, let's crush them! We have to kill Mad Tiger!"

"Seven Vice Admiral-level ships..." Riki mused aloud, rubbing his chin, though his eyes gleamed with the familiar light of a battle maniac. "That means at least seven officer-level Marines of significant strength... probably at least three Vice Admirals, plus a good number of Rear Admirals... This is a tough bone to chew." He grinned, clearly relishing the challenge.

"It's more than just Mad Tiger," Bege clarified, relaying the rest of the intel. "Accompanying him is one of Headquarters' top Vice Admirals, 'White Lion' Brent. Additionally, there are three other high-ranking Vice Admirals confirmed in the fleet. That makes five Vice Admirals in total."

"What?!" Moria exclaimed, his earlier fury momentarily replaced by shock. "The former Admiral Candidate, White Lion Brent, is here too?! It seems the Marines really intend to annihilate us this time!" Mad Tiger Simon was already an extremely difficult opponent; adding another Vice Admiral of Brent's legendary caliber made the situation far more perilous.

"That old fossil hasn't been a true Admiral candidate for a long time," Riki snorted dismissively, ever confident. "Rumor has it Whitebeard shattered his internal organs years ago during a battle in the New World. His combat power dropped significantly after that. He's probably only on Mad Tiger's level at best now."

"My God," Longbill interjected gravely, ever the pragmatist among the former Skypiean guard. "The Marines are clearly determined to destroy us this time. With such overwhelming force arrayed against us, I believe a head-on confrontation would be unwise. Perhaps returning to Skypiea first would be the most prudent course of action?"

"What's there to fear?" Calsedon retorted hotly, his competitive spirit ignited. "With you, My God, and powerful commanders like Moria and Riki leading us, I refuse to believe we cannot defeat them!"

Moria ignored the squabbling, his gaze fixed on Bege. "Bege," he asked seriously, "what's the call? Fight or flight?"

A cold, predatory smile touched Bege's lips. He slowly stood up from his deck chair, his domineering aura flaring outwards, washing over the crew and silencing the arguments. "Naturally," Bege declared, his voice resonating with absolute conviction, followed by an unrestrained laugh, "we fight."

He paused, his eyes glinting with remembered pain and simmering rage. "It's been two long years," he said, his voice dropping slightly. "The wound Simon gave me back then... it still faintly aches sometimes, a constant reminder. This time, it's my turn to return the favor, with interest." The memory of being nearly killed by Mad Tiger Simon two years ago was not something Capone Bege could ever forget or forgive.

"Then let the war begin!" Moria grinned fiercely, his confidence bolstered by Bege's decision. "With you fighting alongside us, Bege, I don't believe even Mad Tiger and White Lion stand a chance!"

"Captain!" Riki immediately volunteered, eager for a challenge. "You take Mad Tiger! How about I handle White Lion Brent?"

Moria shot him a dismissive glance. "You're not ready for White Lion yet, Riki," he snorted. "Leave that old lion to me."

Immediately, other members of the crew began clamoring, staking claims on the remaining unknown Vice Admirals.

"Do you lot truly believe Headquarters Vice Admirals are mere fodder that you can just pick and choose amongst yourselves?" Bege shook his head, a mixture of amusement and exasperation on his face. "Their strength is undoubtedly formidable. Based on current assessments, only Moria, Riki, and myself possess the strength to reliably match opponents of that specific caliber. A direct, head-on clash against five Vice Admirals, plus their supporting Rear Admirals and warships... would likely result in heavy losses for us, regardless of the outcome."

He surveyed his crew, his expression hardening. "However, since we've decided to fight, we fight to win," Bege stated decisively. An idea had already formed in his mind. He took out a Den Den Mushi and contacted Modi. "Modi," he ordered, "get to the West Blue. Now."

With the vast network of informants under Marine control in the West Blue, it didn't take long for the pursuing fleet to pinpoint the Sky God's location and begin their relentless chase. Within a day, the seven warships had caught up, visually sighting their target.

Standing at the bow of the Sky God, Bege peered through a telescope, watching the seven massive Marine vessels spreading out, rapidly closing in an encirclement formation.

"Accelerate slightly," Bege commanded calmly. "Maintain speed, just enough to keep them on our tail but out of effective firing range." The Sky God surged forward slightly. Whenever the Marine warships drew too close, Bege would order another slight burst of speed. In this manner, they expertly kited the entire Marine fleet for three days across the West Blue, buying precious time until, finally, their awaited reinforcement arrived.

A smaller, sleek flying vessel streaked across the sky, descending rapidly from the clouds. It soared over the pursuing Marine fleet, positioning itself directly above the warships. Hatches opened along its hull, and cannons deployed, unleashing a thunderous barrage. Dozens of cannonballs rained down towards the decks below.

Reacting instantly, two figures leaped from the deck of one of the warships, launching themselves into the air using Geppo. With swift movements, the two Rear Admirals drew their swords, intercepting the falling cannonballs with flurries of precise sword slashes, deflecting or destroying them before they could impact the ships.

Aboard the Sky God, watching the aerial display from a distance, Bege chuckled. "Heh, that Modi... even more impatient than we are, it seems." He raised his own Den Den Mushi and contacted the flying ship. "Modi, engaging them fully at sea is disadvantageous for us. Lure them towards that deserted island nearby."

"Understood!" Modi's voice crackled back. The flying ship immediately changed course, angling towards the Sky God and the designated island rendezvous point.

On the deck of the Marine fleet's flagship, Vice Admiral Mad Tiger Simon glared up at the retreating flying vessel, his expression thunderous. He had clearly recognized the pirate flag adorning the ship – the jolly roger of the Fire Tank Pirates.

"Since they've finally shown their cowardly support vessel, they won't be leaving," Vice Admiral White Lion Brent murmured beside Simon, his ancient eyes fixed on the flying ship with unnerving intensity. A terrifying killing intent flared within those eyes. Without warning, he drew the elegant sword at his waist. As the blade left its sheath, a terrifyingly violent aura exploded outwards from the old Vice Admiral.

The next moment, an astonishing spectacle unfolded, leaving every Marine on deck gaping in awe. A colossal slash of pure white energy, impossibly sharp and dense, erupted from Brent's sword. It appeared like a bolt of lightning given physical form, snaking upwards into the sky, roaring like a hungry beast as it surged towards Modi's distant ship. The flying slash attack seemed to gather power as it ascended, radiating an immense, palpable pressure and the absolute intent to annihilate everything in its path.

Even Bege, watching from the Sky God several kilometers away, felt the sheer, chilling killing intent contained within that unbelievable flying slash. His usual confident expression turned solemn.

Aboard the targeted flying ship, a figure leaped onto the bow rail just as the white slash approached. In an instant, he drew his own sword. A fierce gale howled around him as he unleashed a staggering counter-slash – a swirling vortex of focused, hurricane-force wind energy that shot forward to meet the incoming attack.

The two colossal flying slashes – one of pure, sharp energy, the other of raging wind – collided violently mid-air. The resulting explosion rocked the heavens, the shockwave alone violently shoving Modi's sturdy flying ship back tens of meters through the air, instantly scoring its hull with countless deep gashes like scratches from a giant cat.

Aboard the Marine flagship, White Lion Brent's face darkened, a flicker of surprise crossing his aged features. He hadn't expected anyone short of an Admiral, or perhaps one of the New World's absolute monsters, to be able to block that signature attack head-on. His sharp gaze instantly locked onto the lone figure standing defiantly on the flying ship's bow, sword still raised.

Beside him, Vice Admiral Mad Tiger Simon hissed the name, his voice dripping with venomous killing intent.

"Wind Sword... Modi!"

_______

+50 chapters on: patreon.com/Shinobi_Scrolls